As a homeowner, it is good to be familiar with your appliances and know the difference between when they are operating properly and when they are not. Included in this list of appliances is your tub and shower. Whether they are a combo package or separate fixtures, there are certain common bathtub and shower problems. Read on for more about the most common bathtub problems.
Drainage Issues
If your tub or shower drain slowly or not at all, then continuing to use them without cleaning the drain will only make the problem worse. Each time you use these fixtures, more soap, dead skin cells, dirt, and debris is being washed into the drain and combining with the already existing problem – most likely a clog caused by a clump of hair and other detritus. No matter how often you clean your tub or shower, hair clogs are fairly inevitable. There is always at least one or two that makes it past the drain and into the pipes. Over time, that equals a clog. Your best bet is to remove the drain stopper and clear the clog.
Filthy Drain Stopper
One of the most overlooked cleaning projects in any home is the drain stopper. We just do not even think about it, or we think that if we clean the basin, then the stopper will get cleaned when the cleaning agent is rinsed down the drain. Unfortunately, this is not enough to get the drain stopper really clean. And if it has been a while since you last thoroughly cleaned your stopper, it could also be causing some unpleasant odors to circulate in your bathroom. It is a good idea to periodically remove your drain stopper and clean it by using a cleaning toothbrush and some cleaning vinegar to dissolve any soap scum and scrub away any debris that might be lingering on the surface.
Stubborn Clog
You have tried everything, and still this clog just will not go away. When dissolving the clog or forcing it down the pipe will not work, it is time to try bringing the clog back up the drain. Remove the drain stopper then try a zip-it or other drain snaking product to get down there, grab the clog, and pull it back up and out. If that still does not clear the problem, shine a flashlight down the drain to see if some larger object like a shampoo lid or razor blade safety cover is the culprit.
Final Thoughts
As always, if you have tried all of these techniques and are still having issues with your tub or shower, give Conyers Plumbing a call. We have seen it all, and we are here to help you get your bathroom fixtures back in proper working order.
